Town identifies $300k in additional funds for schools

Friday

May 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM

MIDDLEBORO — Town Manager Charles Cristello has identified $300,000 that could be used to help offset a potential $900,000 deficit in next year's school budget, but he said the "revenue simply isn't there" to cover the entire $31.5 million budget approved by the School Committee last week.

JANE LOPES

MIDDLEBORO — Town Manager Charles Cristello has identified $300,000 that could be used to help offset a potential $900,000 deficit in next year's school budget, but he said the "revenue simply isn't there" to cover the entire $31.5 million budget approved by the School Committee last week.

Following a budget presentation at Monday night's selectmen's meeting by Supt. of Schools Roseli Weiss and Director of Business and Finance Kathleen Piatelli, Mr. Cristello said the town could cut $150,000 from next year's snow and ice removal budget — although the budget will likely have to be supplemented at some point — and postpone some funding of an employee health insurance mitigation account.

Funding the entire school budget request, he said, would mean eliminating or under-funding "multiple town departments."

While the superintendent responded to the town manager's remarks by saying "we know you're going to do the very best you can," she did not indicate whether she will recommend that the School Committee revise its budget request prior to the May 27 annual town meeting.

"I felt it was important to say what we need," she said earlier of the presentation to the selectmen Monday night. "We also feel a responsibility to work with Mr. Cristello and the selectmen to be a part of the town."

Citing increasing state mandates and reporting requirements, the superintendent and business manager said the $330,000 budgeted for new personnel, including the restoration of administration positions that were cut from the school budget in recent years, is necessary for the schools to continue with a three- to five-year strategic plan that has been successful over the past two years.

"This is what we need to continue making progress," Supt. Weiss said of the budget request, which also includes about $931,000 in salary increases, $606,000 in added special education costs and an $80,000 increase in transportation costs.

The school administrators and selectmen blamed the School Department's situation on the state Legislature, which is considering a meager increase in Chapter 70 aid to education for the second year in a row.

Middleboro, which received education aid increases of $500,000 or more in past years, is slated to get an additional $82,000 for the coming fiscal year.

Ms. Piatelli said the $25 per student increase is the result of a state formula that aims to ensure that all school districts receive 50 percent of their funding from the state. As a result, she said communities that can afford to significantly increase local funding are being rewarded with additional state aid, which towns like Middleboro are being penalized for being unable to increase their contributions.

When the superintendent indicated towns like Middleboro are being "left behind" in terms of state aid, Selectman Stephen McKinnon described the situation in more graphic terms.

"'Screwed' is a better way to put it," he said. He said local officials and residents should let the Legislature know that Middleboro is not happy with its treatment.

"The more letters they get the more incentive they have, maybe, to move forward," Mr. McKinnon said.

Chairman of Selectmen Allin Frawley also said the town is being unfairly treated.

"Two years in a row we have received $25 a student (increase in state aid) without any idea why," he said. "Personally I have a huge problem with other towns getting a 10 percent increase when we get half a percent."

During the budget presentation, the business manager and superintendent outlined the state requirements and other factors that they believe necessitate the restoration of positions including that of assistant superintendent and assistant middle school principal and the creation of positions including a data specialist, classroom technology facilitator, social worker and kindergarten support personnel.

The superintendent noted that Middleboro continues to be ranked as a Level 3 district in need of significant improvement.

"The growth of this town in part is the product of the growth of its schools," she said. "You do not want to continue to have a Level 3 school district."